Good news all you techno-gadget geeks out there. I had a major success today with getting TV on the Navigation screen.
For those who know me from the bimmer board, I had a good friend of mine send me the Video Module, and Antenna amplifiers from Germany. Very easy, strait-forward install. The problem with the US cars built after 09/97 is they lack the correct wiring harness that will accept the video module AND navigation. I have the harness on order, but I opted to disconnect the Navigation system to see if the video module would work by itself.
BINGO! New display fonts, different colors 4 vs. 3 Different functions, and best of all TV.
The functions are very intuitive. Audio comes through the radio controls and speakers. I didn't have the right antenna yet, so I had to improvise. The picture was good when I finally get a strong station. The video will blank (I'll try the "unlock" metheod after everything is installed.) but the audio continues. I'll keep everyone informed as to my progress.
So far it's looking like about a $500 investment, Small change compared to $80K for a car.
It also does Television Text??? If someone could enlighten me it would be greatly appreciated.
Man, if you can get us online I'll vote you in for dude of the year! Go get 'em!
By the way, BMW US already told me that this activity will void the warranty on the NAV system - however, it appears from your description that the operation is REVERSIBLE.
;-)
The current installation is reversible. Looking at the BMW systems from a purely logical standpoint. It is extremely inefficient for them to design multiple parts that perform duplicate functions. A perfect example is DSP, If you remove your DSP amp and install the "normal" amp the hi-fi system performs as a normal radio. Thus my logic with adding the TV tuner. I'll keep everyone ontop of the information 8-ball. Here's hoping that I have a few goodies waiting for me at the dealer tomorrow. As for warranty concerns, If I was afraid I was going to destroy something I would leave well enough alone, But I have great confidence in my abilities, and when it comes to the E39, I probable know more about the eletrical systems than the average BMW technician. And if worse comes to worse, I have to pay for my mistakes.
SVTWEB - a question: I thought the european broadcast system was incompatible with the US one. I though they used both different format (more lines) and different frequencies. How can a tuner designed for Europe receive U.S. TV signals?
In the Television Menu you are given a setup option. The setup option aloowed me to choose United States. There were an uncounted number of choices in alphabetical order, I would guess 60. I'll try to better document everything tomorrow.
Linear Mode
